Music for nihilistic cowards too afraid to commit suicide. Pic related

WHO NEEDS DRUGS?

fucking me

Then you should reject the music too, because it prescribes weak, cowardly, nihilistic sentiments

I disagree. The more intense I get about my goals, the more intense the music I relate to is - hardcore punk, bebop jazz, stuff like that.

Groups like Days N Daze are a sort of melodic, celebratory music to offset the extremity of genres like crust punk, hardcore punk, grindcore, etc., which are the kinds of bands they often tour with.

A lot of the songs are about depression, loneliness, alcoholism, etc. I used to wallow to much in those feelings. I don't much anymore, which makes the message of those songs less appealing. However, I also think it's important not to reject or deny those feelings. Feel them, acknowledge them, accept them, and then move on. The alcoholism is especially useless though, since I no longer drink at all.

It is important to reject those feelings, because they are bad feelings which will do you no good. As you say, move on

With respect, IMO, you are trying to post-rationalise a bad habit you have yet to kick. You can't truly be said to have moved on in life if you still indulge in this kind of music in your spare time

I think you're wrong. It's important to accept them so that you CAN move on. If you just put them on the back burner, they will linger.

I think Soto Zen philosophy has been useful for me. In it, the idea is basically to observe the feelings and ideas that arise in your mind, without identifying with them. You observe them and let them pass. I think that's a really healthy attitude. Basically the idea is, your brain comes up with all sorts of stupid ideas and useless emotions. Those ideas and emotions aren't you, they're just thinks your brain comes up with. Because of that, they don't have to dictate your actions. You can deliberately choose the thoughts and ideas you decide to act on.

Denying you feel something has the same kind of effect as saying "don't think about a polka dotted elephant." As soon as I say it, you think about it. Even if you act against feelings of anger, those feelings are still there and in a way, still affect your actions. You accept them, then move on.

see Also, you don't know my motivations for listening to this music. It's music that I have listened to with some of my closest friends. It's the music of some of the best concerts I've ever been to. And when I feel like shit, music about feeling like shit can make you feel okay about it, and help you process it. Like "okay, I feel like shit. Now I'm gonna go run, or apply for that job, or write something important."

Aristotle would say that the mere fact of your having these feelings in the first place reflects badly on your character. It suggests you haven't refined your character well enough yet. Of course, you're right: no one is perfect and we all have bad thoughts from time to time. But the aim should be to master those bad thoughts to the point where they no longer even arise. Rather than attempting this , you opt instead to reflect on your flaws.

You're right. I guess I reject Aristotle. I'm totally fine with that.

The issue with Aristotle is that he thinks the way to stop those thoughts is to deny them. Those thoughts will always be produced by your brain. Maybe they'll be produced less, the healthier and better you get at life. I think the key is not to identify with them.

Also, I wouldn't say I dwell on them. Rather, I think it's important to notice that they're there, then let them go. It's a different process.

Whatever works I suppose. In any case, it's good to hear you feel you're in a better place than you were. I'm off to bed. Good night sir